Shawnee Fire Department to host car seat check-up Friday

Safe Kids Oklahoma, in partnership with the Children's Hospital at OU Medical Center and Shawnee Fire Department, will be hosting an event that will potentially save the lives of dozens of children.

Safe Kids Oklahoma, in partnership with the Children's Hospital at OU Medical Center and Shawnee Fire Department, will be hosting an event that will potentially save the lives of dozens of children.

Car seats or a properly fitting seat belt can significantly reduce the risk of death and severe injury in a crash.

Nationally Certified CPS Technicians are trained and knowledgeable of vehicles and child restraints in order to help teach caregivers how to properly select, install, and utilize their child's car seat.

The car seat check-up and distribution event will be held Friday, Sept. 28 from 2 to 4 p.m. at Shawnee Fire Department's Station No. 3, located at 306 E. MacArthur.

"Despite laws in all 50 states, surveys reveal that only 80 percent of all children in Oklahoma are buckled up, and of those, more than 80 percent are not restrained correctly," says Lauren Farrah, Executive Director of Safe Kids Oklahoma.

Motor vehicle crashes remain the leading cause of injury-related death in children under 14. Each year in the U.S., nearly 1,400 children in this age group die in motor vehicle crashes and another 280,000 are injured -- primarily because they are not properly secured in vehicles.

"Most parents believe they are taking all the right steps to protect their kids in the car. They are shocked to learn how complex the process really is," says Farrah. "With hundreds of car seats on the market and several different types of seat belt systems in cars, the potential combinations are endless, which is one reason installation can be so difficult."

During this event, parents and caregivers will be taught by Nationally Certified Child Passenger Safety

Technicians on how to properly secure their child in the vehicle. A limited number of car seats will be available for $10 each to eligible families while supplies last. To find out if you qualify, call Safe Kids Oklahoma at 405.945.6709 for help or event information.